The rise of algal turfs
In recent decades, structurally complex marine forests dominated by canopy-forming brown algae have disappeared along vast stretches of temperate coastline worldwide, being displaced by simple, low-lying and poorly structured aggregations of algae known as “turfs”. Given that the ecological characteristics of algal turfs differ markedly from those of larger, canopy-forming seaweeds such as kelps, there is concern that the rise of turfs can lead to substantial reductions to key services provided by marine forests. Numerous properties of the algal turfs inhibit the recruitment of canopy-formers once they have established, locking the system into a turf-dominated state. In fact, to date, there has been no documented natural recoveries to a forested state once canopy-forming algae have been replaced by turfs.
My research investigates whether all the algae identified as “turfs” are ecologically similar across different temperate regions of the world, and tries to better understand the different kelp-inhibiting properties of turfs.
This research is mainly conducted in Western Australia in the Wernberg lab, but with partnerships with institutions all over the globe, including the Mediterranean Sea, Japan, Norway and the United States.
My research investigates whether all the algae identified as “turfs” are ecologically similar across different temperate regions of the world, and tries to better understand the different kelp-inhibiting properties of turfs.
This research is mainly conducted in Western Australia in the Wernberg lab, but with partnerships with institutions all over the globe, including the Mediterranean Sea, Japan, Norway and the United States.